Study Aims
The aims of this pilot study are to describe vulnerability factors, intrapersonal resources, self-care management activities, and quality of life of older adults with sickle cell disease (SCD); and examine relationships among these factors in older adults with SCD.
Methods
A mixed method descriptive design will be used to address the study aims. The qualitative component will be taped life review interviews and the quantitative component will be questionnaires to explore vulnerability, intrapersonal resources, self-care management activities, and quality of life. The sample will consist of 5 females and 5 males who are at least 45 years of age and who have SCD. The sample will be recruited from Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Howard Sickle Cell Disease Clinic. Personal correspondence with the research nurse at the Howard Sickle Cell Disease Clinic revealed that there are at least 15 patients 45 years of age or older with SCD; and correspondence with the chief of hematology at Yale-New Haven Hospital indicated that there are 5 patients at least 45 years of age with SCD. The chief of hematology or his staff at Yale and the research nurse at Howard will alert potential participants of this study and request permission for the PI or co-investigator to contact him or her to set up an interview appointment. At the interview, which will take place in a private office at the clinical facilities, the study will be explained and informed consent obtained. At the completion of the qualitative and quantitative study components, participants will be given $50 as a token of appreciation for their time.
Status
The Human Subjects Research Review Committee at the Yale School of Nursing and Yale-New Haven Hospital has approved this study. Approval from the Institutional Review Board at Howard is pending. Data collection will begin soon at Yale.
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Investigators
Coretta Jenerette
Gloria Lauderdale
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